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How and When to Enroll in Medicare

Initial Enrollment Period

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month period. It includes the three months prior to your 65th birthday month, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after your birthday month. IEP begins and ends one month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month. You may enroll in Part A, Part B, or both, and you may elect to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you are eligible to sign up between January 1 through March 31 of each year. Starting in 2023, Medicare coverage will now begin the month after enrollment for individuals who enroll in the last 3 months of their IEP or during GEP.

Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare supplement open enrollment period is six months in duration. It begins the month you turn 65 or leave employer sponsored coverage and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. You may not be denied entry into a Medicare Supplemental plan or charged more based on your current/past medical history if you enroll during your open enrollment time frame.

Special Enrollment Period for those Working Past Age 65

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Part A, Part B, or both without a Late Enrollment Penalty for up to eight months after the month your (or your spouse’s) employment or employer coverage ends, whichever ends first.

You may enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Prescription Drug Plan after the same event, if eligible, but you only have two months to enroll after the month of your (or your spouse’s) employment or employer coverage ends.

You may want to enroll in Part A only during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) if you decide to work past the age of 65 and have employer coverage. However, if you are employed and currently contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), you should check with your benefits manager before you decide to enroll in Part A, as there are impacts to your ability to contribute to an HSA prior to enrollment in the Medicare program

Revised On: September 20, 2024
Categories: Medicare Basics
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